Meet the Team Behind Cardenas & Company Real Estate Group
When you work with Cardenas & Company Real Estate Group, you are not just getting a single agent — you are getting a full team of dedicated, bilingual real estate professionals who live, work, and invest in the same communities you do. Based in Chula Vista, California and affiliated with Realty ONE Group Pacific, our team is built around one simple belief: that every family deserves expert guidance, honest communication, and a real estate experience that actually puts their best interests first.
We are not the biggest brokerage in San Diego. We are not trying to be. What we are is a tightly knit, highly skilled team of specialists who have chosen to build their careers in the South Bay — because this is where we come from, where our families live, and where our hearts are. From Chula Vista's established neighborhoods to the newer master-planned communities of Eastlake and Otay Ranch, from the military communities of the South Bay to the cross-border lifestyle that defines so much of life here, we know this market in a way that no corporate office ever could.
Together, our team has helped hundreds of families buy their first home, sell their family home, relocate to San Diego, invest in real estate, and build long-term wealth through smart property decisions. We bring together expertise in VA loans and military relocation, first-time homebuyer guidance, luxury and move-up purchases, investment properties, estate sales, and cross-border real estate between San Diego and Tijuana — a specialization that is virtually unmatched in our market.
Below, you will meet each member of our team. Every agent here was chosen not just for their credentials, but for the values they bring to every transaction: integrity, availability, genuine care for clients, and an unwavering commitment to getting the job done right.
Our Team Leaders
DRE #01862173 | Chula Vista, CA | Languages: English, Spanish
David Cardenas is the co-founder and team leader of Cardenas & Company Real Estate Group, and one of the most recognizable names in Chula Vista real estate. Licensed since 2008, David has spent nearly two decades building a practice that is defined not by transaction volume alone, but by the depth of relationships he builds with every client he serves.
David's path into real estate was shaped by his own experience navigating the homebuying process as a first-generation buyer — a journey that was complicated, confusing, and, at times, deeply frustrating. That experience never left him. It is why he approaches every client relationship with the patience of a teacher and the commitment of an advocate, making sure that no client ever feels lost, pressured, or uninformed.
As a Certified Military Residential Specialist, David has made it a priority to serve the military families who make up such a vital part of the Chula Vista and South Bay community. His deep familiarity with the VA loan process — from eligibility to closing — has helped hundreds of veteran families achieve homeownership without the confusion and complications that so often arise when working with agents who are less experienced in military benefits.
David is also one of the very few agents in the San Diego market actively building expertise in cross-border real estate — helping bilingual, bicultural families who live, work, or invest on both sides of the US-Mexico border. His understanding of the San Diego–Tijuana corridor from an economic, cultural, and real estate perspective positions Cardenas & Company as a genuinely unique resource in a market that is deeply shaped by binational life.
Beyond individual transactions, David is passionate about financial education and long-term wealth building through real estate. He regularly speaks on topics including home equity strategies, investment property acquisition, and generational wealth for first-generation homeowners — a focus that reflects his belief that a great real estate agent is not just a transaction facilitator, but a long-term partner in financial wellbeing.
Specialties: VA Loans & Military Relocation, First-Time Homebuyers, Cross-Border Real Estate (San Diego–Tijuana), Investment Properties, Financial Education, Seller Representation Certifications: Certified Military Residential Specialist (CMRS) Communities Served: Chula Vista, Eastlake, Otay Ranch, Bonita, National City, South Bay, Greater San Diego
Chula Vista, CA | Languages: English, Spanish
Angela Avilez is the co-founder of Cardenas & Company Real Estate Group and the operational backbone of the team. Where David leads client strategy and business development, Angela is the engine that keeps transactions moving — organized, proactive, and always ten steps ahead of any potential problem before it becomes one.
Angela brings a relationship-first approach to everything she does. Her clients consistently describe her as warm, patient, deeply communicative, and completely trustworthy — the kind of agent who picks up the phone, follows through on every promise, and stays genuinely invested in the outcome long after the closing documents are signed.
Having navigated the San Diego real estate market through multiple cycles — from the volatility of post-2008 to the historically competitive conditions of recent years — Angela has developed the kind of market intuition that only comes from years of on-the-ground experience. She understands how to position a buyer to compete in a tight inventory market, and how to prepare a seller to maximize their return in any condition.
Angela is especially passionate about working with families — first-time buyers who are nervous and need steady guidance, growing families who are upsizing and need to time two transactions carefully, and established homeowners who are ready to sell and move on to their next chapter. Her ability to hold the full picture of a client's financial and emotional situation at once is what separates her from agents who treat transactions as paperwork exercises.
Together, David and Angela have built Cardenas & Company into one of the most trusted real estate teams in Chula Vista — a team that has earned over 150 five-star reviews not through advertising, but through the simple, consistent practice of putting people first.
Specialties: Buyer Representation, Seller Representation, First-Time Homebuyers, Family Relocation, Move-Up Purchases, Transaction Management Communities Served: Chula Vista, Eastlake, Otay Ranch, Bonita, South Bay, Greater San Diego
Our Agents
DRE #02039845 | Chula Vista, CA | Languages: English, Spanish
Ricardo Velarde is a Chula Vista native and one of the most energetic, client-focused agents on the Cardenas & Company team. Born and raised in the South Bay, Ricardo brings a genuine insider's knowledge of the communities he serves — not just the streets and subdivisions, but the schools, the culture, the hidden gems, and the subtle differences between neighborhoods that only a true local would know.
Licensed since 2020 and BBB Accredited, Ricardo has built his reputation on three things: availability, honesty, and results. In a market where response time can mean the difference between getting a home and losing it, Ricardo is the agent who answers the phone. His clients describe him as someone who shows up, follows through, and never makes them feel like anything less than his top priority — because to Ricardo, they are.
Ricardo specializes in working with first-time homebuyers and home sellers, two groups that require very different skill sets and that Ricardo serves with equal depth. For first-time buyers — particularly those just beginning to understand the homebuying process — Ricardo has a remarkable gift for breaking down complex concepts into clear, actionable steps. He removes the fear and confusion that so often paralyze first-time buyers, replacing it with confidence and clarity.
For sellers, Ricardo brings sharp negotiation skills, a thorough understanding of market pricing, and a professional, results-oriented approach that has consistently helped his clients sell quickly and at top dollar. His reviews are filled with stories of sellers who were impressed not just by the outcome, but by how smooth and stress-free Ricardo made the entire experience.
When Ricardo is not working with clients, you will likely find him in the gym — a discipline that reflects the same commitment, consistency, and work ethic he brings to his real estate practice every single day.
Specialties: First-Time Homebuyers, Seller Representation, Residential Sales, Negotiation, South Bay Market Expertise Website: ricardovelarderealty.com Communities Served: Chula Vista, National City, South Bay, La Mesa, Greater San Diego
Chula Vista, CA | Languages: English, Spanish
Paulina Bretts is a dedicated buyer's specialist whose reputation has been built one satisfied client at a time. With a practice centered entirely on the needs of the buyer — from the first conversation about what is possible to the moment the keys are placed in hand — Paulina brings a level of care, patience, and professionalism that her clients consistently describe as going above and beyond.
What makes Paulina exceptional is not just her real estate knowledge — it is her ability to truly listen. In a market as competitive and emotionally charged as San Diego real estate, buyers need more than market data and showing schedules. They need an agent who understands their life circumstances, their financial boundaries, their fears, and their dreams — and who can translate all of that into a strategy that actually works. That is exactly what Paulina delivers.
Paulina has developed particular expertise in guiding buyers through challenging transactions — deals that hit complications, fall out of escrow, or involve complex financing situations. Where other agents might panic or give up, Paulina leans in. Her clients describe her as someone who navigates problems with ease and professionalism, turning potential disasters into successful closings through creativity, persistence, and a calm confidence that keeps everyone moving forward.
She is especially skilled at working with first-time buyers who are entering the homebuying process for the first time and need a patient, knowledgeable guide who will walk them through every step — from pre-approval to offer strategy to inspections to closing. For Paulina, no question is too small and no concern is too minor. She understands that for most of her clients, this is the largest financial decision of their lives, and she treats it with the gravity and care that it deserves.
Paulina's bilingual capabilities make her an especially valuable resource for Spanish-speaking clients navigating the homebuying process in English — a population that is significantly underserved in the San Diego real estate market and that Paulina serves with fluency, cultural understanding, and genuine warmth.
Specialties: Buyer Representation, First-Time Homebuyers, Complex Transaction Navigation, Bilingual Client Services, Financing Guidance Communities Served: Chula Vista, Eastlake, Otay Ranch, South Bay, Carlsbad, Greater San Diego
Chula Vista, CA | Languages: English, Spanish
Fernanda Gonzalez is the kind of real estate agent that clients come back to — not just for their next transaction, but to refer their family, their friends, and their coworkers. Her approach to real estate is rooted in something that sounds simple but is surprisingly rare: she genuinely listens, stays present, and follows through on every single commitment she makes.
Clients who have worked with Fernanda consistently highlight the same qualities: reliability, responsiveness, patience, and a calm availability that makes even the most stressful parts of the homebuying process feel manageable. Whether she is answering a question at 9 PM, coordinating a showing on short notice, or spending extra time explaining a disclosure document that confused her client, Fernanda shows up — completely, consistently, and without complaint.
Fernanda brings particular strength to clients who are buying their second home — a group that is often overlooked by agents who focus exclusively on first-timers or luxury buyers. Move-up buyers face a unique set of challenges: they have experience, but that experience was often years ago in a very different market. They have equity, but they need to time two transactions carefully. They have higher expectations, but they also carry the stress of a simultaneous sale and purchase. Fernanda understands these dynamics intimately and guides her move-up clients through them with expertise and grace.
Her fluency in Spanish and her deep cultural connection to the Chula Vista and South Bay community make her an invaluable resource for the large bilingual population that calls this area home. For clients who feel more comfortable conducting a real estate transaction in Spanish — whether they are long-time residents or newer arrivals to the region — Fernanda provides not just linguistic translation, but genuine cultural understanding that puts clients at ease and builds the kind of trust that leads to lifelong relationships.
Fernanda joined the Cardenas & Company team because she shares the same values that define the group: a commitment to education-first real estate, long-term relationship building, and the belief that every family — regardless of budget, background, or experience level — deserves expert, attentive representation.
Specialties: Buyer Representation, Move-Up Purchases, Bilingual Client Services, First-Time Homebuyers, Client Relations Communities Served: Chula Vista, Eastlake, Otay Ranch, South Bay, Greater San Diego
Chula Vista, CA | Languages: English, Spanish | Education: Universidad Autónoma de Baja California
Concha Valladolid is one of the most unique and specialized real estate agents in the entire San Diego market — and possibly one of the most uniquely qualified people in Southern California to help clients navigate the intersection of US and Mexican real estate.
Before becoming a real estate agent, Concha built her professional foundation as a practicing lawyer in Tijuana, where she developed a sophisticated understanding of legal frameworks, contracts, and property transactions that most real estate agents simply do not possess. Add to that a university background in social anthropology — the study of how people think, behave, and make decisions within cultural systems — and you begin to understand why Concha approaches every client interaction with a depth of insight that goes far beyond the typical real estate conversation.
Concha's legal background is not just an interesting footnote. It is a genuine advantage for her clients, particularly in transactions that involve legal complexity: estate sales, divorce-related property decisions, investment acquisitions, trust-held properties, and cross-border purchases where understanding both US and Mexican legal frameworks is essential. Her ability to read a contract, spot a problematic clause, and explain legal implications in plain language — in both English and Spanish — gives her clients a layer of protection and understanding that is virtually impossible to replicate.
Her specialization in cross-border real estate between San Diego and Tijuana is particularly relevant for the Cardenas & Company team and the communities it serves. The San Diego–Tijuana border region is one of the most economically dynamic cross-border zones in the world, and an increasing number of people are choosing to live, invest, and build wealth on both sides of the border simultaneously. Concha understands this lifestyle from the inside — she has lived it, studied it academically, and built a real estate practice around it. She is one of the very few agents in the region who can serve a client looking to buy a home in Chula Vista and invest in property in Tijuana within the same conversation, bringing real expertise to both sides of the transaction.
Concha is also a community leader. As the Marketing Chair for the National Latina Business Women's Association (NLBWA) San Diego chapter, she is deeply engaged in the professional development of Latina entrepreneurs and business owners — a role that reflects her commitment to lifting up the community around her, not just serving her own clients.
When she is not working, Concha is running — literally. As an avid runner, she has developed a personal appreciation for the natural beauty and neighborhood character of both San Diego and Tijuana that informs her ability to speak about communities, lifestyle, and livability with genuine passion and authenticity.
Specialties: Cross-Border Real Estate (San Diego–Tijuana), International Property Investment, Legal Complexity Transactions, Estate Sales, Bilingual & Bicultural Client Services, Buyer & Seller Representation Education: Universidad Autónoma de Baja California (Law; Social Anthropology) Community: Marketing Chair, NLBWA San Diego Chapter Communities Served: Chula Vista, South Bay, Greater San Diego, Tijuana (cross-border)
Chula Vista, CA | Languages: English, Spanish
Jessica Gutierrez is a San Diego native, a listing specialist, and one of the most experienced members of the Cardenas & Company team — bringing two decades of deep involvement in the San Diego real estate industry to every seller she represents.
Jessica's specialty is helping families sell their homes with a level of preparation, care, and professionalism that goes well beyond what most listing agents provide. Where many agents approach a seller's home as a transaction to be processed, Jessica approaches it as an asset to be maximized — and she brings a full-service, white-glove methodology to every listing she takes on. That means professional staging consultation, cleaning coordination, and a thorough pre-sale walkthrough to identify exactly which preparations will move the needle on your final sale price. It means strategic pricing rooted in genuine local market knowledge. It means professional presentation that makes your home stand out in a crowded market from the moment buyers first see it online.
What makes Jessica's two decades of experience genuinely distinctive is that she did not spend those years in a single lane. She worked alongside some of San Diego's top-producing agents, absorbing the practices, instincts, and standards of the best in the business before building her own client-focused practice. That background shows in how she handles the details — the pre-listing preparation that most agents skip, the proactive communication that keeps sellers informed and confident throughout escrow, and the negotiation approach that consistently delivers maximum net proceeds rather than just a signed contract.
Jessica is a people person in the truest sense — someone who is genuinely energized by the relationships she builds with her clients and who measures the success of every transaction not just by the final number, but by whether the family she represented felt truly supported from beginning to end. Her clients describe her as warm, organized, deeply professional, and personally invested in their outcome in a way that makes the experience of selling feel less like a transaction and more like having a trusted advocate in your corner.
Born and raised in San Diego, Jessica brings a native's understanding of the South Bay, Chula Vista, and the surrounding communities — knowledge that runs deeper than market reports and gives her sellers a genuine advantage when it comes to positioning their home for the buyers most likely to value it.
Specialties: Seller Representation, Home Staging & Pre-Sale Preparation, Listing Strategy, Pricing Analysis, Full-Service Home Selling Communities Served: Chula Vista, Eastlake, Otay Ranch, National City, Bonita, South Bay, Greater San Diego
Why Work With a Team Instead of a Solo Agent?
This is one of the most common questions we hear — and it is a great one. The honest answer is that a well-structured real estate team offers clients something that a solo agent structurally cannot: dedicated expertise at every stage of the transaction, without any single point of failure.
When you work with a solo agent, that agent is simultaneously managing prospecting, client communication, showings, offers, negotiations, inspections, escrow coordination, and marketing — all at once, for every client they have. The result, too often, is that something falls through the cracks. Calls go unanswered. Details get missed. Clients feel like they are competing for attention.
A team changes that equation entirely. At Cardenas & Company, each member of our team brings a distinct set of skills and specializations to the table. You get the benefit of specialized expertise at each stage — a negotiation expert when it is time to write an offer, a cross-border specialist when your transaction has international dimensions, a buyer's advocate who has guided dozens of first-timers through exactly the process you are facing. And throughout it all, you have the leadership of David and Angela — team leaders who stay closely involved in every client relationship from beginning to end.
You also get consistency and coverage. If your primary agent is in a showing when you call, another team member picks up. If your transaction hits a complication that requires specialized knowledge, we have someone on the team who has handled it before. This is not a solo act. This is a full ensemble.
Our Commitment to Chula Vista and the South Bay
Cardenas & Company Real Estate Group is not a San Diego firm that happens to work in Chula Vista. We are a Chula Vista firm, period. Our office is here. Our agents live here. Our children go to school here. We shop at the same grocery stores, eat at the same restaurants, and root for the same teams as our clients. That is not marketing language — it is just the truth.
This community has given us everything, and we take seriously our responsibility to give back. That means serving our military families with the care and expertise they have earned. It means being honest with first-time buyers about what the process really looks like, even when the truth is harder than the sales pitch. It means providing financial education and market insight not just to our clients, but to our broader community — because we believe that an informed homeowner is an empowered one.
It also means showing up for the binational, bicultural community that defines so much of life in Chula Vista and the South Bay. With multiple Spanish-speaking agents, deep roots in the Tijuana–San Diego border region, and specialized expertise in cross-border real estate, Cardenas & Company is positioned to serve a community that has historically been underserved — and we are committed to doing that work with the depth and care it deserves.
Cardenas & Company by the Numbers
- 400+ homes sold across Chula Vista, South Bay, and Greater San Diego
- 150+ five-star client reviews
- 5 specialized agents with distinct areas of expertise
- Bilingual team — fully fluent in English and Spanish
- Cross-border real estate expertise: San Diego and Tijuana
- Certified Military Residential Specialist on staff
- VA loan specialists serving active duty, veterans, and military families
- Affiliated with Realty ONE Group Pacific — one of the fastest-growing brokerages in the nation
Ready to Work With Us?
Whether you are buying your first home in Eastlake, selling a family property in Bonita, investing in a rental in National City, or exploring cross-border opportunities between San Diego and Tijuana — there is a Cardenas & Company agent who specializes in exactly what you need.
We invite you to browse each agent's individual profile page to learn more about their background, specialties, and the communities they serve. When you are ready to take the next step, reach out directly — we would love to learn about your goals and show you how our team can help you achieve them.
Office Address: 310 Third Avenue, Suite #C3, Chula Vista, CA 91910 Phone: (619) 494-0501 Website: CardenasAndCompany.com DRE: #01862173 Brokerage: Realty ONE Group Pacific
Se Habla Español | Bilingual Real Estate Services Available
Over 400 Families Served in Chula Vista & San Diego
With over 400 successful career transactions and 24 years of local experience, Cardenas & Company Real Estate Group isn’t just another agency—we are part of the community fabric. While big-box platforms might miss the full scope of our history, our clients don’t. From our downtown Chula Vista office to the hills of Otay Ranch, we bring a 5.0-star proven track record to every door we open.
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